OPINION: Customer demand influenced decision

We asked seven national retailers, including Cincinnati-based Macy's, about their decisions to open this year on Thanksgiving Day for the first time. Only Kmart and Best Buy agreed to explain why they'll be open.

Kmart

Kmart has been a destination for early-bird shopping and last-minute entertaining needs on Thanksgiving Day for 22 years. The company made the decision to extend the hours based in part on feedback from its Shop Your Way members, who sought more flexible holiday in-store shopping times and eagerness to shop doorbuster deals.

We staff with teams and seasonal associates when possible, giving them the opportunity to make extra money during holidays. We have extensive analytics in place that include customer feedback from our large network of Shop Your Way Members. This feedback allows us to glean important insight from our members, keep a pulse on how, when and where they want to shop, and was a contributing factor in our decision to keep our doors open through Thanksgiving to Black Friday.

We understand many associates want to spend time with their families during the holiday. With this in mind Kmart stores do their very best to staff with seasonal associates and those who are needed to work holidays. All eligible hourly associates who work on Thanksgiving Day are compensated with holiday pay - time and one-half their regular rate for all hours worked, except where state or local laws require a higher rate.

Best Buy

Last year, millions of people made it clear that they wanted to shop on Thanksgiving evening. Given this trend, the company designed this year's holiday plan with a variety of shopping options, including multiple doorbuster deals throughout the night on Thanksgiving and into the morning on Black Friday.

There is no doubt that the decision to open earlier than last year on Thanksgiving affects Best Buy, but much of the internal feedback we have gotten so far reflects our collective desire to serve customers and have a successful holiday. ■

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OPINION: Customer demand influenced decision

We asked seven national retailers, including Cincinnati-based Macy's, about their decisions to open this year on Thanksgiving Day for the first time. Only Kmart and Best Buy agreed to explain why